I just got a set done. I supplied the valves, springs, locks and retainers. I am in CT and it cost me 525.00. This also included hardened seats and unshrouding. It is for my JET boat. Here is a link. They do not need to be ported the ports are large enough already.

yes but you are working with a 70 chevelle LS-6... I would think they were built for power to start with I am working with an 89 crew dually's tbi 454... may not be the same set of heads or are they? I would seriously doubt it.... but I do not know it all which is why I love learning

Valve job and many hours of setting up installed spring height for my solid roller BBC, cost $500.
But before the machine shop got em, I mildly ported and polished the aluminum heads myself. took about 10-15 hours..
I also polished the outside of my edelbrock heads myself which took about 10 hours a piece.
Polished! (exhaust not ported yet in pic)

I can't remember how much the machine work was for my heads. I know the valves were aroung $120, and the springs were $80. I had the block and heads done at the same time and he only gave me a total price, not broken out. But he's a buddy of mine too so.........

I'm not going to spend $2000 on a set of BBC heads just to put them in my 72, not yet at least.

If I were going to buy a set of aluminum heads, they would be AFR's set.

I'm looking at having this done soon too. Trying to compare between buying a set of stock rebuild heads for $400 from Advance Auto or having to job done on the heads I have local. I figure new valves and springs what else would be needed as far as parts go?What actually needs to be done to the heads by a machine shop? As in what should I ask for to be done and what can be done myself. I am clueless here any help is appreciated.

The machine shop will regrind your vavle seats, this is where the valve seals to the head when closed. They will check and replace bad guildes, this is what the valve stem slides up and down through. They can also resurface the head, they machine off a small layer of metal where it bolts to the block. I would also recommend buying new valve springs.

im not aboiut to pay $1,500 + for heads for a crew dual 454 lol that is assuming i keep the motor in the truck lol (may think about swapping in a 6.2 for a turbo propane injected hauler ) anyway i would almost consider vortec heads as gm really did a good job of them with a stock form head. but i have no idea what those cost or anything. i was thinking if the engine stays int he truck just rebuild the whole motor put in a summit cam, get the heads redone well with the larger valves and port job and throw some headers and dual 3" exhaust on 'er with a cam, big valves & port job, and headers that 454 will be making some moderate power anyway. in stock form it would smoke all 4 rear duals anyway so.... i wouldnt think that a valve job with big valves and a port job should cost a lot. someday i will have my garage set up with the propper equip so i can do it myself. but not till long after this engine is rebuilt lol

Yes, similar "improvements"... If you look close at the scogin-dickey add for these they specify for 91 and newer. I have experience with the opposite combination, I have a gen 6 block and try to use older style (dart) heads. Have a hard time keeping headgaskets sealing.

These newer heads are also not designed for an adjustable valve train either so add in the price for a machine shop to mill the roker bosses and drill/tap them for the earlier style studs.

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